Medscape October 8, 2025
Edited by Manasi Talwadekar

TOPLINE:

Most adult patients supported substance-use screening and discussions in primary care, but their comfort levels varied by demographic, with over half preferring their doctor over a nurse or medical assistant to ask about alcohol and drug use. Middle-aged, Black, and Hispanic patients showed less comfort with questions on alcohol or drug use.

METHODOLOGY:

  • Researchers surveyed 977 adult patients (mean age, 51.1 years; 61% women; 72% White) across nine primary care clinics in two urban academic healthcare systems in New York City and Boston and one rural Federally Qualified Health Center in Maine.
  • Participants were asked about their views on screening for alcohol and drug use in clinics that had recently implemented universal screening (2018-2020).
  • Screening approaches varied, including...

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Topics: Physician, Primary care, Provider
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